Open call: Capacity Building Programme Officer and Policy and Advocacy Officer

SWAN is hiring for two positions: Capacity Building Programme Officer and Policy and Advocacy Officer!

Please see the term of references below, and share this open call with your networks.

Or, you can download the terms of reference as PDFs here:

Capacity Building Programme Officer Terms of Reference Download

Policy and Advocacy Officer Terms of Reference Download

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Capacity Building Programme Officer

Background information

The Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN) is a sex worker-led regional network in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia that advocates for the human rights of female, male, and transgender sex workers. SWAN was founded in 2006 and was officially registered as the SWAN Foundation in January 2012. Today, SWAN unites 23 members from 20 Eurasian countries. The network operates in English and Russian, and the Secretariat is located in Hungary.

SWAN’s member organizations are either led by sex workers or work closely with the sex worker community. Sex workers’ leadership is an organizing principle of the network. SWAN’s work is overseen by a democratically elected Management Committee and operates guided by the following values:

Recognition of the right of sex workers to take agency in their lives, health, and decision-making.
Commitment to actively involve sex workers in all levels of SWAN governance and to the protection of human rights.
Recognition of sex work as work, which is an unforced sale of sexual services between consenting male, female, and trans adults.
Addressing the needs and engaging the strengths of the diverse range of people who are sex workers, recognizing their intersectionality with other population groups (such as migrants, people who use drugs, people living with HIV, LGBTI people and others) as well as their diverse range of work environments and lived experiences.
Prioritization of support of sex worker-led initiatives and also support their allies to address the needs of sex workers.

SWAN is looking for a half-time (50%, 20 h/week) Capacity Building Programme Officer starting in February 2026. This will be a pivotal role in strengthening the capacities of SWAN members and ensuring effective programme delivery across the CEECA region. The initial contract is for three months, during which we aim to ensure a mutual fit. Following this period, SWAN offers a calendar-year contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding, as we are looking to build a long-term collaboration. The position is remote, with a preference for candidates based in or originally coming from the CEECA region. Occasional travel within the region and internationally will be required.

Position Description

The Capacity Building Programme Officer (CBPO) will lead SWAN’s capacity-strengthening work across SWAN member organizations, with a special focus on the SHIFT programme (2026–2028). The CBPO will support sex worker–led organizations in building skills, structures, and tools related to community empowerment, organizational development, social enterprise, and safe digital practices.

The Officer will work closely with SWAN’s Executive Director, Policy & Advocacy Officer, Finance & Operations, national partners, consultants, and regional networks.

The Capacity Building Programme Officer will lead on:

Lead the design, implementation and monitoring of SWAN’s Capacity Building activities.
Develop and conduct pre- and post-assessments to measure the effectiveness of implemented activities (project-related).
Lead the development of the Regional Social Enterprise Incubator Model, working with external consultants and national partners.
Support one national partner (Central Asian country) to prepare, update and implement a values-based social enterprise model working with an external consultant and the national team.
Providing ongoing online support to national partners.
Networking and Regional Engagement: Strengthen SWAN’s regional presence within the social enterprise ecosystem through strategic partnerships with leading regional actors.
Contribute to SWAN’s events, including conferences and capacity-strengthening workshops.
Support grant reporting and project planning.
Other relevant tasks as assigned.

Candidate’s profile

We seek a motivated human rights activist with a strong commitment to sex workers’ rights, experience in project coordination, and a strong interest in social entrepreneurship. The ideal candidate should have knowledge of human rights frameworks, project management, and work with marginalized communities, as well as an understanding of the specific challenges sex workers face in the CEECA region.

Experience

At least two years of experience in capacity-building activities and working with marginalized communities from the CEECA region.
3–4 years of experience in programme or project coordination and experience working with national or international organizations on human rights, social justice, LGBTQI+, PLH or sex workers’ rights.
Familiarity with developing training tools or curricula.
Experience working in the HIV field with key populations and/or community-led organizations.
Experience with fundraising, networking and building new relationships.
Knowledge of or strong interest in social enterprise models.
Experience working with marginalized communities, particularly sex workers, PLH, LGBTQ+ people, or migrants.

Skills

Advanced written and spoken English.
Proficiency in another CEECA language (especially Russian) is highly desirable.
Strong analytical and research skills.
Ability to manage timelines, priorities, deliverables, and partner follow-up across multiple countries.
Experience engaging with policymakers, human rights institutions, and other stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Commitment to SWAN’s values and mission.
Ability to collect qualitative learning, document progress, and contribute to MEL processes.
Understanding of digital rights, labor rights, or harm reduction as they relate to sex work.
Knowledge of funding landscapes relevant to sex workers’ rights.
In-depth knowledge of the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia region – understanding of the geopolitical environment within the region, its sex worker movement, and the issues affecting the community.

Compensation

The approximate budget for this half-time position is 573,708.00 HUF (~1650 USD) gross per month (USD amount will differ depending on exchange rates).

Applying for a position

Applicants are required to submit the following:

Letter of Interest in the position, explaining why you are suited for this work and your work experience;
Detailed CV;
2 references;

Applications with the above details should be sent to [email protected].

We highly encourage sex workers and other marginalized communities to apply! As a sex worker-led organisation, priority will be given to suitably qualified applicants who have sex work experience.

NOTE: Applicants are contracted as consultants, are expected to work remotely, and are required to provide a Tax Residency Certificate from their home country. As a consultancy contract, you will be responsible for paying your income and social insurance taxes in your country of residence. SWAN has a flexible and remote working policy, and core hours for joint work are 10:00–14:00 CET, Monday–Friday. Four working days per week are also possible upon mutual agreement.

Timeline

Launch of the call: 10 December 2025
Deadline for receiving applications: 05 January 2026
Notification to shortlisted candidates for interviews: 07-08 January 2026
Interviews: 12-13 January 2026
Decision communicated to all applicants: 15-16 January 2026
Start of position: 01 February 2026

We guarantee that all information will be held confidential.

Please send your application before 05 January 2026, 24:00 Central European Time.

Terms of Reference (TOR) for

Policy and Advocacy Officer

Background information

Recognition of the right of sex workers to take agency in their lives, health, and decision-making.
Commitment to actively involve sex workers in all levels of SWAN governance and to the protection of human rights.
Recognition of sex work as work, which is an unforced sale of sexual services between consenting male, female, and trans adults.
Addressing the needs and engaging the strengths of the diverse range of people who are sex workers, recognizing their intersectionality with other population groups (such as, migrants, people who use drugs, people living with HIV, LGBTI people and others) as well as their diverse range of work environments and lived experience.
Prioritization of support of sex worker-led initiatives and also support their allies to address the needs of sex workers

SWAN is looking for a half-time (50%, 20 h/week) Policy and Advocacy Officer starting in February 2026. This will be a critical position within SWAN’s advocacy and project-related work. The initial contract is for three months, during which we aim to ensure a mutual fit. Following this period, SWAN offers a calendar-year contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding, as we are looking to build a long-term collaboration. The position is remote, with a preference for candidates based in or originally coming from the CEECA region. Occasional travel within the region and internationally will be required.

Position Description

The Policy and Advocacy Officer will work with the SWAN Secretariat and member organizations to advance advocacy strategies, engage with national and international human rights mechanisms, and strengthen SWAN’s capacity to influence policy changes at the regional and global levels. As we are a small team at SWAN, the Policy and Advocacy Officer will also work closely with other colleagues on ongoing project activities and contribute to the broader work of the Secretariat.

The Advocacy Officer will lead on:

Develop and implement advocacy strategies for sex workers’ rights, including legal and policy frameworks. They will closely work with SWAN members in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Lithuania.
Engage with European and international human rights bodies (UN, OSCE, Council of Europe) and regional policymakers.
Draft policy briefs and advocacy reports.
Coordinate with external consultant, SWAN Secretariat and national partners to deliver: legal literacy trainings, mapping of laws/policies and advocacy actions.
Review draft national reports, legal briefs and advocacy materials.
Lead the work with an external consultant and the SWAN Executive Director on the development, coordination, and implementation of SWAN’s Regional Decriminalization Roadmap for CEECA, including national consultations, evidence generation, and advocacy planning.
Strengthen partnerships with regional and international allies.
Contribute to SWAN’s events, including conferences and capacity-strengthening workshops.
Support grant reporting and project planning.
Other relevant tasks as assigned.

Candidate’s profile

We seek an advocate with a strong commitment to sex workers’ rights and experience in policy and advocacy. The ideal candidate should have knowledge of human rights frameworks, international institutions, work with marginalized communities and the specific challenges sex workers face in the CEECA region. An intersectional approach to policy work is essential.

Experience

At least two years of experience in policy, advocacy, or engagement with European and/or international human rights mechanisms.
3–4 years of experience in programme or project coordination and experience working with national or international organizations on human rights, social justice, LGBTQI+, PLH or sex workers’ rights.
Experience working in the HIV field with key populations (project implementation and advocacy with key populations in the CEECA region).
Experience with fundraising, networking and building new relationships.
Familiarity with UN human rights mechanisms and regional advocacy processes.
Experience working with marginalized communities in the CEECA region, particularly sex workers, PLH, LGBTQ+ people, or migrants.

Skills

Advanced written and spoken English.
Proficiency in another CEECA language (especially Russian) is highly desirable.
Strong analytical and research skills.
Ability to develop advocacy materials and policy recommendations.
Experience engaging with policymakers, human rights institutions, and other stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Commitment to SWAN’s values and mission.
Experience writing research and policy documents in accessible language.
Understanding of digital rights, labor rights, or harm reduction as they relate to sex work.
Knowledge of funding landscapes relevant to sex workers’ rights.
In-depth knowledge of the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia region – understanding of the geopolitical environment within the region, its sex worker movement, and the issues affecting the community;

Compensation

The approximate budget for this half-time position is 573,708.00 HUF (~1650 USD) gross per month (USD amount will differ depending on exchange rates).

Applying for a position

Applicants are required to submit the following:

Letter of Interest in the position, explaining why you are suited for this work and your work experience;
Detailed CV;
2 references;

Applications with the above details should be sent to [email protected].

NOTE: Applicants are contracted as consultants, are expected to work remotely, and are required to provide a Tax Residency Certificate from their home country. As a consultancy contract, you will be responsible for paying your income and social insurance taxes in your country of residence. SWAN has a flexible and remote working policy, and core hours for joint work are 10:00–14:00 CET, Monday–Friday. Four working days per week are also possible upon mutual agreement.

Timeline

Launch of the call: 10 December 2025
Deadline for receiving applications: 05 January 2026
Notification to shortlisted candidates for interviews: 07-08 January 2026
Interviews: 12-13 January 2026
Decision communicated to all applicants: 15-16 January 2026
Start of position: 01 February 2026

We guarantee that all information will be held confidential. Please send your application before 05 January 2026, 24:00 Central European Time.

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